“Help us get another championship,” Miguel Rojas reveals his UNIQUE request to Roki Sasaki for giving up his jersey number

Roki Sasaki would join the Los Angeles Dodgers on a $6.5 million deal and got the No.11 jersey from Miguel Rojas for the 2025 season.

“Help us get another championship,” Miguel Rojas reveals his UNIQUE request to Roki Sasaki for giving up his jersey number

Miguel Rojas and Roki Sasaki (Image via LA Times/MLB)

One of the most hyped-up transactions this offseason was of Roki Sasaki. The pitcher became the latest Japanese star to join the Los Angeles Dodgers, as he made his way from the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) of Japan to the MLB.

On his arrival, veteran shortstop Miguel Rojas gave up his No.11 jersey to Sasaki. By doing this, we would go back to his roots and choose No.72 for himself, a number he had worn during his first stint with the Dodgers in 2014.

YouTube video

On Saturday, Rojas was among several Dodgers stars who attended the FanFest. During this, he would reveal his unique request to Sasaki for giving up his number to him. He urged the youngster to help them win another championship.

FS Video

I’m not asking for anything. I have everything I want in life. What I will ask of him is to provide what he’s supposed to on the mound every fifth day. It’s gonna be exciting to play behind a guy throwing 102 with a splitter and a slider. I can’t wait to play with him, and all I ask is that he tries to help us win another championship.

Miguel Rojas said as per Sportsnet LA

Rojas is not the only Dodgers star to give up his number to a new Japanese star. Last season, veteran relief pitcher Joe Kelly gave his number 17 jersey for Shohei Ohtani and picked up No.99 instead. Ohtani would later gift Kelly’s wife Ashley, a luxurious Porsche car.

Speaking of Sasaki, he will join a pitching rotation that will contain his other Japanese teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and another latest signing of the Dodgers, Blake Snell. Given his experience, he could be the fourth member in this rotation behind these three pitchers.

RELATED
Shohei Ohtani UNCERTAIN about timeline regarding return to pitching mound in 2025 season
Shohei Ohtani

Padres star Jackson Merrill makes hilarious comment regarding Japanese food following pitch to Roki Sasaki

Before the Los Angeles Dodgers eventually landed Roki Sasaki, the youngster was also on the radar of the San Diego Padres. Center fielder Jackson Merrill was part of the team’s pitch to vow Sasaki to join them.

Jackson Merrill and Roki Sasaki
Jackson Merrill and Roki Sasaki (Image via X)

During this pitch, they probably had some Japanese food. With Sasaki now a part of the Dodgers, Merrill hilariously claimed that he does not want to eat any more Japanese food.

It was cool but after that I don’t want to eat any more raw fish.

Jackson Merrill said as per Marty Caswell

Merrill would also speak on the Padres’ lack of offseason moves. The San Diego-based outfit is yet to land any major star this year and has also lost out on some top names as they decided not to re-sign with them. The 21-year-old is unfazed by the lack of moves by the team.

RELATED
“It’s the best team in the world,” Hyeseong Kim HYPES UP new team LA Dodgers during FanFest following 3-year deal
Hyeseong Kim

On the other hand, Manny Machado claimed that he was a bit “disappointed” to see the team not make any moves this offseason. GM A.J. Preller though has stated that the team will add a few players before the new season kicks off in March.